What did you think of the President’s health care address?

President Barack Obama spoke to a joint session of Congress Wednesday evening, seeking consensus on expanding health care coverage to millions of Americans. You can read the full text of his address here.

Addressing Democrats and Republicans in the House chamber, along with Washington insiders and Americans with and without health insurance, Obama spelled out where he stands on key issues in dispute as Congress struggles to revamp the nation’s health care system. While some of his explanations — notably on costs — were incomplete, he left no doubt he’s taking ownership.

“To this date, the health care debate has looked like a tennis match between leaders in Congress, with the president sort of watching as it goes back and forth,” said Robert Blendon, a public opinion expert at the Harvard School of Public Health. “He’s taken control of this issue for now, and into the future it looks like there’s a plan, and he’s leading it.”

Not surprisingly, reaction was mixed. You can read quotes from local leaders here. And for a more vociferous reaction, read this story about a South Carolina Republican congressman who shouted “You lie” at the President in the middle of his speech.